4 Signs Of A Leader Worth Following

Alright Internet… This is a wake-up call. This article was written out of a frustration for the minds of this generation.

Somehow, over the past 25 years the internet has removed people’s ability to discern authentic success from pathetic counterfeits. As a result, our aspirations have fallen from respectable to underwhelming.

But before I jump into my solution, let’s talk about why this matters.

Our understanding of success determines why, how, and what leaders we follow. It determines the direction of our actions. It decides the life that we’ll end up creating. It calls for a change in behaviors that will ultimately adjust our current state of existence.

Therefore, when a generation ignorantly celebrates an immature, unaccredited, and shallow version of success we have a problem. So, in the article, I will attempt to shatter the common misconceptions of a leader and restore a healthy baseline for individual success.

As for me, a healthy pursuit of success is my life’s mission. After founding and selling multiple million dollar companies, writing a best selling book, speaking for corporations like Facebook, Adobe, and Chick-fil-a, and being featured in almost every major business magazine and news network… I feel qualified to observe such a topic.

And while my accomplishments might offer you a reason to follow my business advice, this information alone shouldn’t qualify me as someone worth following. For all you know, I could be a manipulative jerk. Maybe my family fell apart because of an addiction to achievement. Or… what if I cheated my way to the top?

You see, success and the reasons for following a leader are multi-faceted. We must look deeper into the leaders we follow. We must raise the bar for who we give permission to speak into our lives. Below, I have attempted to get you started. To open your eyes to the lies and find a more holistic, results-oriented, and dependable version of leadership.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I’m not stating that my understanding is the ultimate definition of success. However, I am stating that my description of success is a stronger foundation than what currently remains the status quo.

1. Most Millionaires Are Not Successful.

At what point did we define a person worthy of following because of their ability to purchase mansions and Lamborghinis? At what point did we believe the brand of clothes someone wears dictates their value? Because my experience with money tells me this:

The way a person spends their money tells me a lot about their heart.

Have we become so shallow that the mere ability to purchase an expensive product has become the reason we decide to follow the life of another? Is this what you want? To be able to buy a nice car? If the ability to buy nice things impresses you, then you might have larger issues on your hands.

Let’s get real people, money is a great thing. It’s an effective tool to generate the opportunities and lifestyle you desire.

But no amount of money determines your degree of success.

On the contrary, many multi-millionaires are the most unsuccessful people on this planet. While they will surely be the wealthiest people in the graveyard, many come home to an empty house filled with expensive distractions attempting to fill the voids of their hearts.

Wealth is a sign of a great mind. It’s proof of their ability to influence others at a higher rate than most. But money without a responsible heart can become dangerous. Money for the purpose of buying extravagant items with little meaning can become empty. And most importantly, money with a history of failed relationships, lawsuits, and divorces is a sign of a person who has a financial ability that outweighs their emotional maturity.

The lesson is this: Don’t follow millionaires because of what they can buy. There is nothing intrinsically impressive with a person who needs to buy products to make themselves happy.

2. If You Can’t Lead A Family, You Can’t Lead Me.

A mentor once told me, “The greatest tragedy is a person too busy making a living, they forgot to make a life.” The internet is riddled with so-called “life coaches” or “leaders” who are so focused on building their brand, business, or career they have forgotten the most important part of life. Family.

They find themselves on the other side of 40 wealthy, known, and alone.

This isn’t a problem if that was their intention. Meaning… they never wanted a family or desired to remain single. However, it is a problem if their dream was to find a spouse, become a parent, and have the family experience.

In a 2010 survey of people on their death bed, the #1 regret was not spending more time with family. #2 (for women) was not having more children. But the lack of relational commitment and/or the desire to avoid children can signal something much deeper. We were made for another. Our souls scream for commitment. And a spirit of independence driven by an addiction to achievement is almost always linked to a history of hurt.

But for those who can heal. Who control their selfishness in a pursuit of another tells me something as well. Contrary to popular belief, the highway to wisdom and maturity is not solely through education, but through the commitment to another in marriage and the willingness to lead, love, and raise a child. Because these people know one thing:

Who you go home to will always beat what you come home to.

The lesson is this: A successful marriage and well raised children are a more accurate reflection of a leader than almost anything else. But someone who lacks these areas should come with an appropriate level of skepticism.

3. Credibility Commands Results

Dave Ramsey once said, “Broke people giving financial advice is like a shop teacher with missing fingers. Be careful with what you believe.”

Every day I see a new “social media guru” touting their ability to guide people toward making a buck. But then I click… A social media expert with no social media following. Sounds fishy.

People are looking for a shortcut to credibility; they want the respect without earning it.

Results require both time and consistency. One hit wonders and early successes lack the depths to be called proven. Consistent positive results over long periods of time, will always outpace a phony attempt of “fake it until you make it.”

The lesson is this: Verify leaders by what they’ve done, not by why what they say they’ll do. Before you click the follow button, spend 5 minutes reviewing not only their credentials, but their history.

4. They Don’t Work For Money

I’ve met too many people who create businesses to make money. And then I’ve met people who create businesses to fuel their passion.

But there is a major difference here. One makes things because they want to make money; the more things they make, the more money they make. What they make doesn’t matter that much to them – they’ll make anything as long as it pays.

The other wants to make money because it allows them to make more things. I think Walt Disney might have said it best,

“We don’t make movies to make money. We make money to make more movies.”

The greatest leaders of our time have never been in the business of making money. A leader worth following is deeper than the dollar. You can see it in their eyes and feel in their presence.

Money is the furthest thing on their mind. Problems are their addiction. And their ability to bring solutions to the world is the drive in their soul.

The lesson is this: There is a purity associated with a leader who works from passion. The motives of a man chasing a solution offer more confidence than those who chase a payout.

In closing, what’s most impressive about those who are truly successful, is their commitment to balance without compromise. Because these people know one thing: If one area falls apart, their integrity is put at risk. Balancing a business while you’re single is easy. Buying nice things on credit is painless. And faking credibility through hype is common.

But those who can build a business while maintaining a thriving family, is impressive. Those who have the discipline to only buy what they can afford, are wise. And those who earn their results through years of hard work, are worthy.

Are You Looking To Fuel Your Passion?

Finding success begins with taking a step. A dream without action is merely a wish. If you’re looking to lead with results and to create a business that fuels your passions, consider enrolling in our 12 month, online entrepreneur and leadership coaching program.

Reader Interactions

Comments

Always a pleasure to read your blog, after creating my company in 2008, i have all done to help my company to grow up and to have little money but be independant, i have actually four guys wich work for me And are happy to work for their company cause i have always pilot it like “people over profit”, And wa have 98% of our customer which recommend us… Definitely all necessary to be happy, but since 2/3 years i don’t take pleasure to do my job, i have not find my balance into job and family (divorce 1 year ago) i am trying to build a new life which permit to me to be accomplished. I would start something new and i am sure that your boot camp could really help me but as you can read since few lines, i am french And my english is too bad or not enough good to follow it with all the necessary understanding.
But it Will always be a pleasure to discover all your new articles 😉

Hello Dale,
I follow your posts and I am a fan. I read a post sometime back that you encourage a good website and of course not a mediocre one. I cannot afford right now to spend thousands on a website and was wondering what websites that are easy and inexpensive you will recommend. Many thanks, Rodney.

I am considering enrolling into your start up camp. I have just announced to my work place that I will be resigning at the end of the year to pursue full time writing. Your course seems the perfect fit for what I need to learn! You’re also a believer in Jesus! That makes me more biased towards your start up camp! hahaha

My family are going to support me financially. I am going to live rent free in their house with very little living costs. I am also going to sell my car and cut costs wherever possible to be able to make my savings last as long as possible.

The few ideas I have in the mix are:
1. develop a blog readership which will contain poetry and short stories that seek to strengthen the mind. I am a Performance Poet with a humble following on social media, and my biggest thrill is seeing people whom I barely speak to anymore share the quotes I’ve written on their timelines, because it has strengthened them and added to their landscape of positivity and push-through.

2. I also have an idea for an epic novel series, targeted towards teenage girls.

3. Run creative writing workshops.
I worked as a Youth Worker/Social Worker for the last 5 years and teaching self development is a great joy for me. The main reason I have decided to leave my workplace is because there is little reward for my output. I figured with all the hustle I put in, I am better off working for myself. Additionally – there is a ceiling of possibility working for my current NGO due to lack of money, vision and scarcity mindsets. I am thankful for what it has taught me and feel very at peace with the decision to quit my job and try to start my own business in writing.

Excuse the essay – the reason I share all this is because I would like to be sold on your course if I am to pay $945 upfront. That is a huge investment! I only have a little bit saved, but can afford to do the course. I need to know that I know that I know that it’s worth it.

I really love this article! I am a kindergarten teacher currently working with a group of professionals in our local community on a pilot program called Redefining success because too often we are seeing our future generations looking up to people who are perceived successful but are actually terrible people and struggling to find that healthy balance in life and have a strong sense of wellbeing. We want to help children, parents and our communities to see that having a high paying job doesn’t necessarily make you successful, that being a kind well-balanced human being will actually make you far more successful in life. I am certainly going to share this article because I really think you hit the nail on the head, thank you!

I think this is so true. I’ve seen so many people want to start a business to make money. While everyone needs to eat, it’s the heart motive that matters most. In EVERY business model I’ve been involved with (18 years experience), every single person motivated by money has never made it. Yet I, a single mom who has nothing but passion, is successful in just about everything I do. “Why,” they ask. It’s not rocket science. I truly care. That’s it. I truly care about people and their needs and struggles and I’m constantly looking for ways to solve those problems and genuinely help. It’s really cool that I can make good money doing something I already LOVE to do!

Great read and overall blog Dale. I’m in the process of scaling http://www.rockstardreams.com to monetize and always appreciate tips and insights from forward thinking thought leaders who have been there and done that.

I strongly agree with most of your points. people follow lust and most of the top guys go with life style marketing they want to show you the Ferrari and watches etc. I think the best way to measure your success is to empower people and share your success with them. material wont make us happy in the long term as it is will vanish and fade away. the real success and happiness is to invest in people. I wish you more wisdom and abundance. love all the way from Pakistan.

Thanks for well written article Dale! Reading this I understand that your approach really works, it is not based on empty words but on your experience. This fact makes me believe you and I want to try my hand in business. Great tips!

Hi, Dale. Thank you for a great article.
I am of the same opinion that a man/woman with a family has a LOT more going on with responsibility, balance …etc. However, it seems like what you were saying is that singleness almost disqualifies one from being a leader worth following. I keep up with you, Jeff Bethke, Heather Lindsey, Joseph Solomon and quite a few other public figures, who all share a great message, teach powerful lessons. Many of them are young (late 20’s, early 30’s) and although now may of you (public figures) are married and/or have children, it is a rather recent event. Meaning … you were all great leaders worth following before you were married or became parents.

I’m almost 30 and I’m a professional athlete. Lifestyle and other factors are in the way of many of us starting families unless we give up what we love and have done all of our lives. I’m speaking just on behalf of my profession, although I’m sure there are plenty more, but I think we have a vast amount of wisdom, lessons and knowledge to share, regardless of our family situations.

Even though I was somewhat discouraged by the notion that you are not qualified if you are single, great article and thank you for using your platform for raising the moral bar

All I’m saying is that for me personally, I’m not impressed with many single people. Do I like them? Absolutely. Can I learn something from them? Sure. Do I follow them for advice on how to live a better life? Not often. I’m not looking to people who can do lots with little responsibilities. That’s easy. I’m looking to those who do lots on top of lots of responsibilities. That’s difficult. There is no doubt that people can be good leaders and single. But there is also no doubt that those same leaders will be better leaders when they make commitments to areas other than their passions.

I stand strong with my belief that getting to busy making a living that you forget to make a life, is dangerous. You might not see it now, but you will on your death bed. My advice… Don’t miss marriage. Don’t miss motherhood. Don’t miss the present.

I just sent this to my hubby! Not many men have the confidence to regard family so highly. The successful, broken and divorced man is celebrated. The woman with multiple children is shunned as irresponsible. I thought I liked you yesterday when I read a few of your posts; I like you even more today! Thank you for showing that a successful person always puts their family first. I’m a stay at home mom and my goal is to help other moms who want to stay home with their little ones, be able to do so. <3

Hi Dale
What an thought-provoking article, thank you for sharing your insights, I am moved already to examine all the people i admire as leader and going much deeper than just the professional life. I myself am moving towards people leadership and I am wondering what in me is going to make people follow me and walk with me this journey. Thank you for sharing.

Excellent post! I’ve always asked myself whenever I meet someone who is a leader or even a pastor “Is this person worth following?” And I have to say there’s only a few that is worth following. Point #2 is a big one for me.
I hope and pray that I could be someone who is worth following even if it’s just for my family.

Great article; I’ve always been hungry to contribute meaningful solutions to society and in my own life. Nothing is more fulfilling than help or inspiring another person.
I have several great ideas that I want to start on.
How do I stop procrastinating?